Inclusive language Archives - Page 2 of 3

Intentionality

Taking a considered approach to communications, programming, and other aspects that focuses on thinking about desired outcomes and how to support all members. This approach might look like carefully considering goals, participants, resources, and context (including who is being centered) to make sure that there is clarity about each before moving forward on a project.

Citation: Center for Scientific Collaboration and Community Engagement. (2021) CSCCE Glossary: Inclusive Language in Community Building. Woodley, Pratt, Bakker, Bertipaglia, Dow, El Zein, Kuwana, Lower, Roca, and Santistevan doi: 10.5281/zenodo.5718783

Holding space

A term often used by facilitators that refers to hosting a gathering that is intended to enable participants to explore a topic or issue together in a way that requires them to be fully present, open, and nonjudgmental to what arises in the space. This approach typically involves actively listening to the lived experiences of others while also reflecting on their own. In practical terms, holding space might look like a less rigid, more responsive agenda, and more opportunities for participants to express their thoughts and feelings or even sit quietly and reflect together on the topic. Holding space can be important for building deeper relationships and validating emotional experiences, and requires clear expectations about confidentiality and unharmful behavior to support the vulnerability that often emerges.

Framing

When preparing communications, consider the backgrounds of the recipients of your message. This pause for thought might include recognizing your own privilege to craft wording or create activities that are inclusive.

Example: When facilitating a report-out after a group activity, framing participant questions as opportunities to learn rather than pointing out gaps in understanding will likely result in a more supportive atmosphere where other participants feel encouraged to ask further questions.

Etiquette

Often used to describe expected norms of behavior in a group setting. Be careful to consider who is privileged by these expectations, who might be silenced, and whether referring to “etiquette” is a way of maintaining the status quo through an existing hierarchy. Community participation guidelines are one way to set expectations around community behaviors in a transparent and inclusive way.

Example: An unspoken rule that only senior managers can speak up at a staff retreat that results in the silencing of more junior staff.

Emergent

An idea, project, or movement that grows organically within a community. You might also see this word used in the phrase “emergent leaders,” which refers to members of a community who wish to take on additional roles and/or responsibilities to ensure the success of the community. Emergent phenomena are often ideas and practices that have existed in communities for some time, but which the community manager can responsively help to support by carefully working to balance the needs and perspectives of members with the ability to mobilize and channel resources (e.g., from a parent organization).

Additional reading:

Social justice facilitator adrienne maree brown has brought the topic of emergence back to the fore in the community-building space with her book “Emergent Strategy.”
CSCCE describes ways to support emergent community leaders in our guidebook on community champions.

Dominant voice / Dominant story

This is not just about people speaking more than others in a group, but the underlying assumption of whose perspective(s) are dominating the framing of a conversation or activity. For example, an emphasis on a certain location in the world or an overuse of a simplistic narrative that obscures nuance and diversity. As a community manager it can be helpful to regularly ask whose voice(s) you are prioritizing, e.g., who is mentioned in a newsletter, who is invited to speak, how is a topic framed? Facilitators can ask people to “take space/make space” to ensure multiple voices are heard. See also Framing.

DEI / EDI / DEIA / JEDI / DEIB

Different communities, cultures, and geographical areas use a variety of acronyms to indicate the space that includes Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Justice, and Belonging, or some combination of these terms. It is both important to understand what the most commonly used acronyms are for your community, and to be intentional about whether the acronym accurately reflects your intention. See also Jargon and Use of acronyms.

Additional reading:

Creating a container

This term, sometimes used by facilitators, refers to the process of intentionally constructing a space (virtual or physical) in which a set of interactions between a specific group of participants can occur. This approach might include creating terms of engagement for that space and carefully considering who needs to be present within it, with the goal that participants can then produce something within the confines and protection of the space that they might not otherwise be able to do.

Additional reading:

Author and facilitator Priya Parker considers multiple aspects of intentionally designing interaction spaces in “The Art of Gathering.”

Core values

These values serve as the foundation for community participation guidelines (see above) and how members participate. An easy pitfall is to choose somewhat generic terms such as “respect” and “diversity” that risk feeling clichéd or lack shared meaning by community members. Moreover, core values should include examples of what they look like in action, and be specific to the community. CSCCE’s core values statement activity can help to support deeper conversations about identifying and defining core values collaboratively as a community or team (see this worksheet).

Example: CSCCE’s Core Values

Conflict resolution

Tactics for intervening, moderating, and resolving disagreements. Community managers may find themselves managing member disagreements without adequate training. Some organizations provide resources to build these skills or have offices that can provide support.

Example: A campus mediator.

Note: Conflict is not in and of itself a negative thing: it can be an indicator that there is sufficient trust in a group that members are able to voice different opinions. Reminding members of community participation guidelines can support conflict that does not cause harm.

Additional reading: